Rumford man pleads not guilty to stealing car

RUMFORD, Maine — A local man accused of stealing a car Monday afternoon while intoxicated pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday in district court.

Kevin Pettegrow, 31, who is homeless, was charged with operating under the influence, operating after suspension, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (theft), and violating two active bail conditions that he not drink alcohol, Rumford police Sgt. Douglas Maifeld said Tuesday.

Pettegrow was released Monday on personal recognizance bail with conditions.

Maifeld said that at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, police received a complaint that a man had just trashed a car and was leaving. When police arrived, he said they learned Pettegrow tried to get into a 1989 Ford van owned by John Bernard, 33, of Mexico. However, Bernard caught Pettegrow in the act and prevented it, Maifeld said.

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Pettegrow then entered a 2003 Ford Focus in which the keys were left on the front seat, Maifeld said. The Focus is owned by Misty Acheson, 31, of Rumford.

Pettegrow drove the car into Bernard’s van, causing about $700 damage to the car and about $200 in damage to the van, the officer said.